it is time to get my son his first car..what do you all recommend? it has to be safe (airbags, structurally, etc) and decent looking, and automatic.
civic, scionB ???
i want to get him a nice datsun510(more for me than him) but i know he is not up to learning the manual tranny
any input is appreciated...

Something you don't mind being totaled. Young drivers tend to get in accidents. Get something than can take parking lot fender benders and still keep going. I went with a Ford Taurus. Large enough to be safe in but still controllable, old enough that if it is totaled or banged up it is not a big deal, uncool enough that there will not be any showing off. At this age it is purely transportation. The cool car can come when there is some experience and demonstration of responsibility.

I'm 17, and I think driving a manual makes me way more focused. I can't text, eat, do other things that cause teens to crash, I actually have to think about what I'm doing. After a solid day of practice he'll be fine in it. Plus, tell him chicks dig it
As far as a car, a used 328 or 335 sedan isn't too expensive, can be comparable in price to a new scion.
But I would honestly look into getting a manual. I see tons of kids at my school get into wrecks(all were fine) but totaled their cars. And all because they weren't paying attention.

i am absorbing all the info folks, thanks so much...keep it coming.
i think maybe a car with a 'short' front-end is best---i took him out today and his biggest issue is gauging his front-right corner (sideswipe prevention)

i wouldn't torture my kid with a crappy car. i would bring my kids up in karting, and by the time they are 16, they'll already be driving better than 99% of people on the road and could feel comfortable giving them nearly anything.

Nothing is wrong with teaching them to drive a standard from the beginning. Thats what my dad did and I will do the same for my kids. Everyone should know how to do it and it requires you to focus more attention of what you are doing, driving, rather than other distractions. just my .02